Courses

PW-165

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Joe Mulholland

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: AR-111, ET-112, and HR-112

Department: HARM

This course looks at proven methods that help individuals chisel out their own system in order to ignite their creative flame and sustain their creativity. It examines some of the commonalities, both good and bad, that occur for artists while they are engaged in their creative process. Through experimentation with various creative approaches and tools, as well as reflective practice, students will learn to apply these methods to musical composition and performance. As the course is process-oriented, the experiences and knowledge gained can be transferred into other classroom settings, as well as other aspects of students' lives.

PW-361

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Matthew Nicholl

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: PW-161 or CW-191

Department: CWP

A hands-on introduction to multimedia and a survey of available applications. Students will complete assignments in the integration of original music, voice-overs, and sound effects with supplied graphics and video examples. Examination of software applications in desktop synchronization for A/V, editing, and multimedia authoring. Study of media formats, storage, and archiving and retrieval techniques; the musician's role in collaborative multimedia projects; managing large volumes of data and compression strategies; and considerations of interactive aesthetics, consumer technologies, and industrial technologies.

In parallel with a student's development as a modern composer, arranger, and orchestrator, this course will develop his/her skills in emulating a live orchestra through effective use of software technologies. These skill areas include performance techniques (tracking), editing, automation (real-time and edited), mixing, production, and the creation of work templates.

PW-461

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Joe Mulholland

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: SW-345

Department: HARM

The course allows students to study the screenplays and songwriting of a variety of film musicals from the beginning of the genre to the present. In addition to focusing on the writing of the musical film, the manner in which song assists in telling the story will be of particular interest. Working in groups, screenwriting students from Emerson will complete an outline and first act of an original screenplay, and composer/lyricist students from Berklee will write the songs that will help tell that story. The semester will culminate in a staged reading‚Äö√Ñ√Æwith music‚Äö√Ñ√Æperformed by acting/musical theater students from both Berklee and Emerson.

PW-468

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Kari Juusela

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Written approval of instructor and course chair

Department: WTDV

A course to be offered only when a resident artist joins the Professional Writing Division. Details including seminar title, resident artist instructor, class schedule, and enrollment approval procedures will be posted by the Professional Writing Division during the appropriate registration and check-in period.

PW-P121

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Matthew Nicholl

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: None

Department: CWP

Designed primarily for novice users of both notation software and music notation itself, but useful for all, this is a project based, hands-on, workshop type course designed to teach students immediately useful and practical applications of music software (primarily Finale) while bypassing unnecessary and complicated extra features. The curriculum and in-class activity format will have a particular emphasis on the development of skills and techniques which are immediately useful and applicable in helping students complete their assigned work in Berklee music writing courses, particularly those generally encountered by first and second year students. First-years in particular are encouraged to take the course so that they can benefit from acquiring extremely useful skills early in their Berklee career; skills which will then help them have greater success, and less frustration with notation right from the start. Additionally the curriculum of this course is designed to help students learn about the fundamentals of music through the use of notation software. This aspect will support and reinforce the curricula of harmony, theory, composition, and CWP courses in particular.

PW-P240

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Eric Gould

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: HR-212 and AR-112

Department: JCMP

This course is about the study and application of compositional techniques of Bob Brookmeyer as demonstrated through his compositions, improvisations, and teaching methods. Students will study musical examples of Brookmeyer and other composers who have utilized his techniques. The techniques will be put into use as weekly assignments and two projects. These composition methods include melody writing, form, unconventional and organic formation of harmony, rhythmic development, and voice-leading. The application of the techniques is not specific to any single musical genre; rather, they are meant to help the composer achieve an original and organic sound.

PW-P321

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: Matthew Nicholl

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: CW-191, EP-225, FS-361, MP-110, MP-113, or SW-151

Department: CWP

This course teaches students how to write and produce music using an iPad through interactive and hands-on activities and projects. They learn the tools, setups, techniques, and software required to write, produce, and mix music using the iPad. Students master the ultimate portable production studio from from synthesis and sound design to electronic distribution and sharing. Key topics include sequencing using native DAWs and software synthesizers, multitrack recording acoustic instruments, and mixing/mastering on the iPad. In addition they will learn how to distribute their tracks and collaborate through the cloud.